Fixing things constantly--Is it true?

[Don1500]

As promised: Pictures

Ladder Down.............................................. ...Ladder Up


It extends 2' into the water.

This shot shows the nice treads I got from Sailors Exchange, and the work I did to make the hinge work right. There are nice big washers under the tread to support the step because of the cut.




Still have some work to do, move the dink motor and BBQ mount, replace some of the set screws with through screws. And I might extend the lower standoffs about 5". But basically it is done.

[sailorchic34]

This year for me has been a little more exciting then normal. Really for the previous three years there was not that much breaking. Well ok I did toss a leaking water heater off last year and just use a pot to heat water on the stove.

This year, wow. Lets see, I rebuild the raw water pump. Then the major engine overhaul. Rebuilt the head, cleaned the sea strainer, new packing in the prop packing gland. Changed a broken breaker out. Have another one I need to replace now on the list. Painted most of the exterior teak, going for that work boat, lower maintenance look. Installed another reading lamp, some varnishing, etc. etc.

With everything this year, including the engine rebuild, It was about 10 percent of my rather cheap vessels cost. Averaging everything over the last 6-7 years makes the yearly maintenance cost including bottom jobs about 5 percent of ownership. Of course I do ALL my own labor, so save quite a bit over marine labor. Plus its been four years since the last bottom job. Maybe that will be on next years list. Still no hard growth on the hull though.

But I've also enjoyed a commute free life, sunsets, blue sky's and overall very little stress compared to the average 9 to 5 workaday folks..

[laika]

If you find a boat that appeals to you and enjoy getting your hands dirty, boat work doesn't have to be a chore. But if this is something you're really concerned about then maybe a spartan cruising boat on the smaller end of the spectrum would make the most sense to you.

[Group9]

I tell everybody who thinks they want a boat: If you don't enjoy tinkering around, and fixing things, find another hobby, like golf.

[zeehag]

might find it easier to buy a gutted house or boat and fix it the way you like rather than buy a brand new one you have to repair..surprise, even new boats take lots of work and fixing.
ditto houses.
is all a matter of perspective and what is worth it to you, the fixer/owner.

so far, my ownership of this formosa including replacements and repairs in progress has come to a total of under 6000 additional dollars, us, on a 10,000usd base that contained a blown up engine and decking and packing gland / sterntube issues.
i have sailed this formosa over 3000 miles in the process of effecting the repairs and replacements to date, and i have included in this the cost of rebuilding engine, which is our current project.
the compression testing tool may just bring it up a few dollars more, depending on price when i find one. and whether i can borrow one ...would rather borrow it or rent it.

we have yet to begin consideration of refrigeration or other repairs...lol and this boat is loaded with po-tential

[Jim Cate]

Zee, is " po-tential" a composite word meaning the ability to render you poor?

Sounds like a good descriptor of boat ownership!

Jim

[zeehag]

jim...yes and is all in perspective....does one even WANT to go po' with a boat is reflected in the length of time that soul keeps and repairs that boat......more love, more improvements and repairs because of the desire to make her perfect, which is never going to occur....rodlmao..
folks just need to remember there is no such thing as perfection......

same is true with collector and sporty cars also....

and people....

[Searles]

The more things you fix the less maintenance you do ,simple really .⚓️👎🏼

[LittleWing77]

So funny (strange) to see yet another necro-thread rise from the dead.

Fortunately, the original poster, ty.gregory, did get his boat and has become fairly handy, as his latest thread had to do with repairing the onboard head.

He's also contemplating a trip from Panama to Columbia.

Way to go, Ty!
Warmly,
LittleWing77

[sailorboy1]

some days I don't fix anything!!!!

because there is always tomorrow and it will still be there

[arsenelupiga]

Originally Posted by markpierce

There will always be something broken on the boat. As soon as something is fixed, something else becomes broken.

this is not true for our lagoon 400, that CF brands incorrectly as cheaply made. Really minusculus number of things that broke in last 7 years. However, just yesterday johnguest fitting failed on waterpump. DIY fix = 48 aud. now i have bronze and not going to break.

Looks like your boat is cheaply made if you have to fix things constantly. That saying is just lame excuse for badly made boats !

[Mickeyrouse]

Or anything else that goes to sea.

[Davy J]

Just here to see a seven year old thread get locked for no reason at all.

[barnakiel]

In our boat there is no fixing. Things break hardly ever.


Not saying they do not break at all, but our offshore time is spent maybe 1% time fixing anything.


I do not know where all the 'fixing, fixing' stories come from. Perhaps from people who got themselves old run down boats full of Napoleon Wars era systems.